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Life as a Belly Dancer in Egypt

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  • Life as a Belly Dancer in Egypt

    Cairo Scene, Egypt
    Aug 30 2014


    Life as a Belly Dancer in Egypt

    30/08/2014 08:00 GMT+2


    A report published by USA Today elucidates on the daily struggles of
    women who work as belly dancers in Cairo, and the largely unfriendly
    atmosphere that surrounds the profession.

    Cairo's belly dancers are facing a life of misery and discrimination,
    a report claims.

    The probe by leading US daily USA Today found that many dancers have
    trouble with both promoters and ordinary Egyptians alike.

    US dancer Diana Esposito - who goes by the the stage name Luna - tells
    of the daily struggle of being a dancer in Cairo in the report.

    "When you speak with any Egyptian and they do not know that you are a
    belly dancer, they treat you very nicely and very respectfully," said
    Amora Shams, a Spanish belly dancer. "But the moment that they find
    out that you are a belly dancer, they change their tone of voice, they
    stop looking at your eyes. They start looking at the rest of your
    body."

    She claims that because of this many dancers are forced to lead double
    lives, keeping their work secret from even close friends. In 2009
    Esposito was left reeling when her landlord kicked her out of her
    apartment after discovering her job.

    Meanwhile, Scottish dancer Lorna of Cairo, claims that many of the
    problems come from promoters themselves.

    "If you're straight and talk serious business, they think you're
    aggressive, and they don't want to know you," she said. "You don't
    actually get the job -- I hate it."

    Many claim that the craft has the same connotations as stripping in
    the USA. Allegra Pena - better known as Aleya of Cairo - claims that
    it is this association which causes misery for many dancers.

    "It has the same kind of connotation," she said. "But it's a weird
    thing because they really love you."
    Earlier this month prosecutors summoned Armenian dancer Safinaz for
    allegedly insulting Egypt by wearing a costume with colors of the
    nation's flag. However Egyptian doctor Oday Noman told reporters that
    there were two sides to the story.

    He said, "Belly dancing is something that is part of our culture -- as
    it's been for a long time. Most celebrations include a belly dancer."

    http://www.cairoscene.com/ViewArticle.aspx?AId=13952

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